Roundtable: Preparing to prevent police ambush attacks

Two years after the horrific attack on Dallas police officers, are our nation’s cops prepared for a potential ambush?

By P1 Staff

July 7 marks the second anniversary of the ambush and murder of five Dallas police officers. Sergeant Michael Smith, Senior Corporal Lorne Ahrens, Officer Michael Krol, Officer Patrick Zamarripa and Officer Brent Thompson were shot and killed and at least seven others injured while protecting a group protesting against police actions. It was the deadliest day for American law enforcement since the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

In this July 7, 2016, file photo, Dallas police move to detain a driver after several police officers were shot in downtown Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

As we pause to remember the seven Dallas police officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice, we asked PoliceOne editorial advisory board members and columnists what they are hoping police departments have done in the aftermath of the Dallas attack to train officers for the potential of an ambush attack.

Secondly, I hope that law enforcement agencies are thinking about proactive measures to counter the ambush threat. Officers should certainly be trained in response tactics to a Dallas-style ambush, but it's even more important for agencies to proactively deploy observation, tactical and counter-sniper teams at public venue events that are likely to become targets. A proactive deployment of these assets may deter attacks entirely, or at least allow law enforcement to stop the threat quickly if an attack is launched.

Plan for a high-ground ambush attack

I'll never forget in Army basic training when the drill sergeant told the dumbest kid in the company to ‘Grab your ears, son.’ When the kid grabbed his ears, the drill sergeant told him to pull hard on his ears and ‘Say POP real loud,’ which the kid did. Finally the drill sergeant yelled, ‘Now that you've pulled your head out of your ass, maybe you can hear me clearly!’

I hope the chiefs and sheriffs out there have finally heard the POP and have their heads in a mode to hear reality. The reality is that you had better plan for a high-ground ambush attack from a rifle-armed killer when you have a large gathering of people (in military parlance, a target-rich environment). After Dallas, I said police must plan for a high-ground attack and either deploy counter-snipers or include potential sniper positions within your security perimeter. Then we had the attack in Las Vegas, where we had the highest number of casualties yet. If you don't plan for such an attack you are irresponsible. Pull your head out.

— Richard Fairburn, public safety director, Central Illinois

Push back against the false narrative

It is imperative that police agencies continuously train their officers to respond to sudden assaults/ambushes. However, monumental efforts need to be made to push back against the false and truly bigoted anti-police narrative that has been advanced by fringe radical groups and reported as if it were fact by the media. Heather McDonald's book "War on Cops" should be gifted to every newsroom in the nation by the local chief or sheriff with a note, “Please read this before you do another report on a police use of force case.”

— Lt. Dan Marcou, police trainer with 33 years of law enforcement experience

Prepare for worst-case scenarios

I am not a guru of the tactical, so I'll offer this counsel: Get your family prepared for the worst. Leaders should do everything they can to educate, encourage and enable their officers to create a future for survivors if one of their own is killed or injured in the line of duty. Facing one's mortality should give each of us pause to consider how we are living out our values. Having our name on that hero award or memorial stone will not be the main memory of our closest family and friends. You build your legacy while you're living, and honor those who have already sacrificed so much by caring for those who mean the most to you.

— Joel Shults, chief of police (ret.), Colorado

Prioritize police officer wellness, resiliency

Since the attack in Dallas, I am hopeful that law enforcement agencies will continue to emphasize the need for their officers to be to resilient. The reality is 99.9 percent of people are not out there to hurt us, but we always have to be prepared for the .01 percent that is. Being vigilant is something that is drilled into most officers’ heads, but often the human factor is left out of this indoctrination. Working long hours and stress drastically reduce an officer’s ability to be vigilant, so it is my hope that agencies are dedicating resources to officer wellness programs. All the tactical training in the world will do an officer no good when trouble arises if she/he is not on top of their game because of stress or fatigue.